Officials in West Sacramento are debating whether to impose a fee on new developers to raise money for levee repairs.

West Sacramento’s City Council will consider the fee at its Wednesday night meeting. Critics say it will drive new developers away from the city. But Mayor Christopher Cabaldon says without it, the flood risk will keep construction companies away: If we were not to have this development fee, then we won’t be able to make the levee improvements, and really all economic activity in our community would shut down.

The assessment would raise about 42 million dollars. The city needs 400 million dollars to increase its standards to a 200 year level of flood protection. Any money raised by the city could be complimented by matching federal and state funds.